Addendum #1: Reprolabels for
Maketoys Battle Tanker and
Scourge & His Sweeps
Hello, all! Due to the wonders of my self imposed temporal anomaly, I am here writing my second posting for my website today, yet my first one for the month of May. I expect this one will be somewhat shorter on the text and focus more on photos, however, as this is not a stand alone review. Rather, it is an addendum to two past reviews, those for the Maketoys Battle Tanker add on for Classics G2 Laser Prime and Scourge & His Sweeps.
In the past, when I have felt a need to add onto a posted review, it has been at most a few days since the original posting. Thus, I just tacked the additional information onto the end of the pre-existing article. In this case, however, since signifigant time has passed, I felt it best to post the new information as a seperate article and provide links back and forth.
For the figures we are re-looking at here, what has changed is that since my innitial reviews, Reprolabels has come out with sticker sets for them. And I wanted to share them and my impressions of them with you.
So, that all out of the way, shall we press ahead?
In the past, when I have felt a need to add onto a posted review, it has been at most a few days since the original posting. Thus, I just tacked the additional information onto the end of the pre-existing article. In this case, however, since signifigant time has passed, I felt it best to post the new information as a seperate article and provide links back and forth.
For the figures we are re-looking at here, what has changed is that since my innitial reviews, Reprolabels has come out with sticker sets for them. And I wanted to share them and my impressions of them with you.
So, that all out of the way, shall we press ahead?
Maketoys Battle Tanker (original review here)
The original review did feature some Reprolabels, but those were for the cab / Optimus himself, not for the recently released third party add-on trailer. The trailer did feature some stickers as well, but those were just a few faction symbols that I had had lying around. Given some of the, shall we say, distinctive styling of the original toy that this add-on was based on, it was probably inevetable that Reprolabels was going to provide their finishing touches to this piece. Let us look at what they have done.
To start with, here he is fully equipped with the big guns. The sticker set has added little yellow and black diagonal striped detail at various points all over him. There are five little red triangles added, two on each leg and one on the crotch piece. Above the arm mounted missle batteries on each side there is an additional piece of black and red detailing. Was this intended to be a few more missles? Possibly... but I like them better as perhaps targeting scanners of some sort. Speaking ot targeting, on the top of the missle batteres there are now targeting displays, and the heads-up display has some new detailing added. Finally, there is a new white-outlined faction symbol on the front of the panel that overhangs Prime's head.
The guns received some detailing on each barrel that is a chrome that fades to black. The large sword blade received some chrome detailing as well, although it is a reddish chrome that matches the colour of the transclearent plastic of the blade. On the front of the make-shift base mode, you can see some new detailing that looks like bullets surrounded by more of the black and yellow striped pattern.
Now for truck mode... the mode that has the most obvious cosmetic change!
Now for truck mode... the mode that has the most obvious cosmetic change!
First off, the faction symbols on the front and sides are the ones I had previously had on there and are not from the new set. The new set does feature a faction symbol for the front, but since I had one already there I figured, why bother changing it? As for the ones on the sides, they were originally located a bit lower on the sides, but obviously there is something else there now. Fortunately, they had enough residual adhesive to allow them to be reapplied to the toy.
You can see more of the yellow and black striped detailing, especially promanant on the rear of the trailer. Also on the rear is the word, "Octane," in stylized lettering taken right off of the original toy this is based on. On each side, in addition to the striped detailing, is a little diamond shaped warning label of the sort commonly found on comercial vehicles carrying potentially hazardous materials.
And, I suppose, there is one other little new detail... The huge splash of artwork that now graces each side of the trailer. This is original art that Reprolabels produced in the style of the vintage G2 comics. Now those not familiar with the original toy this is based on may think, "Hmm, that's kind of gaudy. And kind of defeats the purpose of the whole, 'Robots in Disguise,' thing if you have your own portrait plastered on the side of your trailer." Meanwhile, those who are familiar with the original toy once probably thought that about that one, and on these stickers simply apreciates a good homage. And at least with this modern updating Optimus limits himself to a portrait, and doesn't have his name in huge letters on the sides as well. Also, nice to see that Optimus is more eco-friendly these days, as opposed to the past when he had no problems picturing himself flagrantly burning down major forrests with a giant flame thrower.
You can see more of the yellow and black striped detailing, especially promanant on the rear of the trailer. Also on the rear is the word, "Octane," in stylized lettering taken right off of the original toy this is based on. On each side, in addition to the striped detailing, is a little diamond shaped warning label of the sort commonly found on comercial vehicles carrying potentially hazardous materials.
And, I suppose, there is one other little new detail... The huge splash of artwork that now graces each side of the trailer. This is original art that Reprolabels produced in the style of the vintage G2 comics. Now those not familiar with the original toy this is based on may think, "Hmm, that's kind of gaudy. And kind of defeats the purpose of the whole, 'Robots in Disguise,' thing if you have your own portrait plastered on the side of your trailer." Meanwhile, those who are familiar with the original toy once probably thought that about that one, and on these stickers simply apreciates a good homage. And at least with this modern updating Optimus limits himself to a portrait, and doesn't have his name in huge letters on the sides as well. Also, nice to see that Optimus is more eco-friendly these days, as opposed to the past when he had no problems picturing himself flagrantly burning down major forrests with a giant flame thrower.
Reprolabels included some additional stickers as well. For some of the detailing (such as the targeting displays) they included alternitive stickers that were a bit more "Generation 2"ish in design. The provided faction symbols all came with both G2 and G1 options, and in addition there were alternate stickers for the base toy's shoulders with G1 faction symbols if you wished to use those rather then the G2 inspired stickers with the base figure's seperately available sticker sheet. There were a few stickers with optional details, most of which I wasn't quite sure what to do with so I left them off. Finally, Reprolabels provided a seperate sheet with an extra set of the stickers with the artwork for the sides of the trailer, presumably thinking people might have trouble getting these stickers on properly and might need spares.
I could see how that might be needed if people are not careful when they put on their stickers, but if proper time and care is taken you should really have no problem applying these. While I like the artwork, rather then supplying the extra "just in case" copy of these stickers, it may have been better if Reprolabels had provided blank chrome stickers of the same cut for those out there who may not like it and wanted plain trailer sides. But they didn't, and it is no bother to me... but I know others may have apreciated if that had happened.
I must say, these stickers really do provide the finishing touches that Reprolabels has become famous for. I gladly recomend them to anyone with a Battle Tanker.
I could see how that might be needed if people are not careful when they put on their stickers, but if proper time and care is taken you should really have no problem applying these. While I like the artwork, rather then supplying the extra "just in case" copy of these stickers, it may have been better if Reprolabels had provided blank chrome stickers of the same cut for those out there who may not like it and wanted plain trailer sides. But they didn't, and it is no bother to me... but I know others may have apreciated if that had happened.
I must say, these stickers really do provide the finishing touches that Reprolabels has become famous for. I gladly recomend them to anyone with a Battle Tanker.
Before we move on, I'd like to take a moment, if I may, to get up on my proverbial soap box and speak out against bootlegs a bit. Original third party proucts (be they add-ons like Battle Tanker, or completely original figures like the third party Reflector) I am fine with. But when someone takes someone else's product, just makes a complete copy of it (at most just changing the colour, or perhaps some minor mold detal... but often also just putting out an exact copy of the original) and selling it at a lower price then what you could expect to pay for the original... Well, that is just foul play in my book.
Sadly, this has happened with Battle Tanker. It is one thing when the bootleggers copy a Hasbro or Takara toy. It is still wrong, and I wouldn't encourage it, but Has/Tak is large enough where it probably won't kill them. As far as third party companies... Well, for example, there have been knock-offs of City Commander made, but at least those didn't come out until the original was well sold out through most channels, and there is also aparently a noticable difference in the quality of the product, so it isn't likely to hurt Fansproject too much, and if you lower yourself to purchasing the bootleg, you get the (lack of) quality you pay for.
But Battle Tanker just came out. And Maketoys is a relitively new company. To have a bootleg come out so quickly, and one that reportedly (aside from a few minor things) is pretty good quality, but is being sold for over half the price... This could seriously hurt a new company that has released a really great product that I feel they deserve to see a profit from. So if you have not yet bought Battle Tanker, but are thinking of it... Please, please don't give into the temptation to get it on the cheep and go with the bootleg. Support the people who made this fine product and make sure you buy a real Battle Tanker.
End of preaching, onto the next bit!
Sadly, this has happened with Battle Tanker. It is one thing when the bootleggers copy a Hasbro or Takara toy. It is still wrong, and I wouldn't encourage it, but Has/Tak is large enough where it probably won't kill them. As far as third party companies... Well, for example, there have been knock-offs of City Commander made, but at least those didn't come out until the original was well sold out through most channels, and there is also aparently a noticable difference in the quality of the product, so it isn't likely to hurt Fansproject too much, and if you lower yourself to purchasing the bootleg, you get the (lack of) quality you pay for.
But Battle Tanker just came out. And Maketoys is a relitively new company. To have a bootleg come out so quickly, and one that reportedly (aside from a few minor things) is pretty good quality, but is being sold for over half the price... This could seriously hurt a new company that has released a really great product that I feel they deserve to see a profit from. So if you have not yet bought Battle Tanker, but are thinking of it... Please, please don't give into the temptation to get it on the cheep and go with the bootleg. Support the people who made this fine product and make sure you buy a real Battle Tanker.
End of preaching, onto the next bit!
Scourge & His Sweeps (original review here)
Well, I went on quite a bit more then I expected I would above. I expect I shall be a little more brief with Scourge and company. Let us take a look at them!
Reprolabels obviously knows how Transformers fans think, and with one purchase they provide enough sitckers to augment up to four copies of this toy. This was more then enough for me, as I have only three of them.
The big differences in vehicle mode involve additional blue. The blue on the top of the vehicle has been extended forward to a more satisfying point, and the blue along the front has been extended down the front of the wings. The sticker sheet includes stickers to change the colour of the windows from black to red, and I chose to use them only on Scourge himself to help differentiate him from his underlings. Also, an exposed bit of grey plastic on the side of the engines (or the arms, in robot mode) has been covered with a blue sticker that Reprolabels provided two options for: plain blue, and blue with a silver grill on it. I took this as another opertunity to give Scourge some slight differences from his underlings, the Sweeps got the plain blue and their leader got the extra detailing. The sticker set also included some stickers that looked somewhat like licence plates and were supposed to go on the rear of the tops of the wings, but I chose not to use those.
The big differences in vehicle mode involve additional blue. The blue on the top of the vehicle has been extended forward to a more satisfying point, and the blue along the front has been extended down the front of the wings. The sticker sheet includes stickers to change the colour of the windows from black to red, and I chose to use them only on Scourge himself to help differentiate him from his underlings. Also, an exposed bit of grey plastic on the side of the engines (or the arms, in robot mode) has been covered with a blue sticker that Reprolabels provided two options for: plain blue, and blue with a silver grill on it. I took this as another opertunity to give Scourge some slight differences from his underlings, the Sweeps got the plain blue and their leader got the extra detailing. The sticker set also included some stickers that looked somewhat like licence plates and were supposed to go on the rear of the tops of the wings, but I chose not to use those.
Robot mode shows extra chrome detail added to their chests, crotch pieces, and upper legs. Looking at them from the side, you can get a better look at the sticker that was previously on the side of the engines. A nice touch is some extra detailing for the Sweeps, where Reprolabels provided enough numbered stickers to give up to four Sweeps whatever number desegnation you choose from, "00," to, "99." I chose to number my sweeps 42, for my favorite number (and the answer to the ultimate question of life, the Universe, and everything) and 64, for my girlfriend's favorite number. (I must sheepishly admit that I have never inquired as to why spicifically that is her favorite number, although I suspect it may at least in part have something to do with a video game system.*)
Another great set of stickers that add good finishing touches. Recomended, especially for those who have Sweeps in addition to Scourge.
Another great set of stickers that add good finishing touches. Recomended, especially for those who have Sweeps in addition to Scourge.
Well, there you have it. Two more great offerings from Reprolabels that takes figures I already liked and gives them that excellent added detail that just makes them truely special. Hope you enjoyed this updated look at these figures, and I shall be back soon with a new review! See you then!
Addendum posted 9 May 2012 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcome for Battle Tanker and / or Scourge & His Sweeps!
Addendum posted 9 May 2012 by Yotsuya. Comments are welcome for Battle Tanker and / or Scourge & His Sweeps!
*Is this an addendum to an addendum? Not really, more a sort of footnote, I suppose. Anyway, I asked my beloved about her favorite number of 64, and it in fact has nothing to do with the Nintendo 64 video game system. Aparently, she said, it just randomly popped into her head one day, well before the Nintendeo 64 ever came out. But... it seemd that at the moment when this occured, she was engaged in playing a game of Super Mario Kart, so I take some satisfaction that my guess is not completely off base, as the origin of her favorite number still has at least a loose connection to Nintendo. --Yotsuya, 11 May 2012.